Harriet Kozim, subject of Silver Alert, has been found, police say

The search for an 88-year-old East Meadow woman was called off after police said she was found late Tuesday, hours after she disappeared leaving a local temple.

Nassau County police said Harriet Kozim, who possibly suffers from the onset of Alzheimer's disease, became the subject of a Silver Alert when she failed to return home after leaving bingo at the Temple Emanu-El of East Meadow on Merrick Avenue at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. She was driving a gray 2011 Toyota Camry, police said.

The Silver Alert, issued to assist police in locating senior citizens who may suffer from dementia or other cognitive disorders, had been issued in an effort to help find Kozim.

Police said Kozim was located Tuesday night, but could not provide additional details. It was not clear if the alert played a role in locating her.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”